haʼaʼaah
/hɑ̀ʔɑ̀ʔɑ̀ːh/
The Navajo word for the compass point east is haʼaʼaah.
haʼaʼaah is used as a noun to identify the cardinal direction of east.
Meaning: compass point (noun)
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/hɑ̀ʔɑ̀ʔɑ̀ːh/
Did you know?
- The structure of haʼaʼaah includes a grammatical marker that identifies an unspecified person as the object of the action.
- In Navajo culture, haʼaʼaah is associated with the color white and the beginning of the day, symbolizing new beginnings and purity.
- Traditional Navajo homes, called hogans, are typically oriented so that the door faces haʼaʼaah to welcome the morning sun.
Examples in context
- Haʼaʼaah yáʼátʼéé.The east is beautiful.
Example conversation
Michelle and Justin are looking at a map together.
- MichelleHaʼaʼaah tʼáá áání?Which way is east?
- JustinHaʼaʼaah tʼáá dóó hólǫ́.East is right over there.
- MichelleŁááʼí bee yááʼ.It is that way.
- JustinÁáʼ kʼééʼ dabiʼnihí.Yes, that is where we are going.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “east” translations and entries haʼaʼaah, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries haʼaʼaah, CC BY-SA 4.0.
